Knockdown display rack

ABSTRACT

A knockdown display rack including a plurality of horizontal shelves, preferably of masonite; a plurality of vertical support columns, preferably of folded fibrous or plastic sheet material, each being slotted in the interior at the same heights to slidably receive and support the corresponding peripheries of the shelves; and a sleeve-like member, preferably of fibrous or plastic sheet material, slidably engaging the exteriors of the columns to enclose and restrain the columns in positions supporting the shelves. The shelves preferably have tabbed cutout areas between the uppermost and lowermost shelves to permit the display of merchandise on shelves.

United States Patent [191 Patterson [451 Apr. 15, 1975 [73] Assignee:The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta,

22 Filed: July 30,1973

21 Appl. No.: 383,861

[52] US. Cl. 108/111; 248/174; 211/148 [51] Int. Cl A47b 43/02 [58]Field of Search ..108/11l,153;211/l35, 211/148; 248/174; 312/259 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,132,785 lO/1939 Hill 108/1112,455,739 12/1948 Curtis 312/259 2,563,706 8/1951 Capron 248/174 X2,895,696 7/1959 Mergenthaler.... 248/174 X 2,897,571 8/1959 Kupchinsky108/111 X 2,923,997 2/1960 Emmerling..... 108/111 X 3,372,813 3/1968lshida 211/135 3,806,124 4/1974 lppen 211/148 X Primary Examiner-FrancisK. Zugel Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert A. Lester; W. Dexter Brooks;John R. Martin [57] ABSTRACT A knockdown display rack including aplurality of horizontal shelves, preferably of masonite; a plurality ofvertical support columns, preferably of folded fibrous or plastic sheetmaterial, each being slotted in the interior at the same heights toslidably receive and support the corresponding peripheries of theshelves; and a sleeve-like member, preferably of fibrous or plasticsheet material, slidably engaging the exteriors of the columns toenclose and restrain the columns in positions supporting the shelves.The shelves preferably have tabbed cutout areas between the uppermostand lowermost shelves to permit the display of merchandise on shelves.

29 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPRI 51975 FIG 2 FIG 3 SHEET 1 BF 2FIG 4 KNOCKDOWN DISPLAY RACK FIELD OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates generally to rack assemblies and in particular toknockdown display racks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the beverage industry and elsewhere therehas long been a need for a simple economical, light-weight rack, whichcan be easily assembled and disassembled, suitable for displayingbeverage products and other merchandise.

Most known display racks in order to provide necessary structuralstability have consisted of a complex assortment of metal braces,supports and shelves interconnected by screws, bolts, pins and othermechanical fasteners. Such racks, while quite durable and effectiveunder heavy loading, have been expensive, cumbersome and difficult toassemble and take apart. Typical examples are Evans, US. Pat. No.3,696,763, and Muller, US. Pat. No. 2,505,299.

Other types of display racks, satisfying the cost and weight needs, haveconcentrated on the use of fibrous sheet products as the material ofconstruction. For example, lshida, U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,813, discloses arack of cardboard serving as a combined shipping and display device. Toprovide reasonable short-term stability, I

lshida employs a complex folded arrangement of platforms, platformsupports, corner columns and means interconnecting the columns. Thisrack in requiring the use of fasteners, namely staples, cannot beconveniently assembled and disassembled. Moreover, the use of staplesraises some question as to long-term stability or stability under heavyloading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to overcome theprior art deficiencies by providing in one embodiment a knockdown rackassembly comprising at least one substantially-rigid shelf memberadapted to be horizontally supported; a plurality of vertical supportmembers adapted to be horizontally-spaced and disposed around theperiphery of each such shelf member, each support member having aslotted portion for each such shelf member adapted to slidably receiveand engage the periphery of such shelf member to horizontally supportthe same; and at least one sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engagesaid support members to enclose and restrain said support members inpositions supporting said shelf members. Another embodiment of theinvention is concerned with a knockdown display rack comprising aplurality of substantially-rigid, planar shelf members of substantiallyuniform thickness adapted to be horizontally disposed and verticallyinterspaced; a plurality of substantially-equal-length support columnsadapted to be vertically disposed and horizontally interspaced, theinterior side each of said support columns including slotted portionscorresponding to the uniform thickness of said shelf members, saidslotted portions adapted to slidably receive and horizontally supportthe corresponding peripheries of each of said shelf members; and asleeve-like member substantially equal in length to said support columnsadapted to slidably engage the exterior sides of said support columns toenclose and restrain said support columns in positions supporting saidshelf members, said sleeve-like member including cutout areas betweenthe uppermost and lowermost shelf members corresponding to the openingsframed by said support columns and said shelf members.

In the interest of brevity and avoiding undue redundancy, the summaryhas been restricted to only the broadest aspects of the invention. Forother important as well as preferred embodiments, reference is herebymade to the detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features andadvantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from thefollowing Detailed Description of various embodiments when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display rack of one embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 depict various alternative embodiments of the columnfor use in the display rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve for use in the display rackof FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows the interconnection of the columns and shelves of thedisplay rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 portrays the relationship between the sleeve and the assemblageof the columns and shelves of the display rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the display rackin which the upper portions of the columns'are juxtaposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referrring to the drawings and in particularto'FlG. 1 depicting a preferred embodiment of the invention, displayrack 1 includes a plurality of shelves 2 supported by four slottedcorner columns 3 (longitudinally hollow as shown) which in turn areenclosed and restrained by sleeve 4-preferably of the same height as thecolumns. Each face of the sleeve is provided with a plurality ofopenings 5 each framed by adjacent columns and shelves. For convenienceopenings 5 are sized to leave side portions 6 extending above shelves 2to serve as restraining borders for merchandise being displayed. Toprovide neatly trimmed edges and to enhance structural integrity, tabs 7are preferably provided along the top of sleeve 4 and at the upper edgesof openings 5. The tabs are folded inwardly and downwardly into theupper interiors of columns 3 and into engagement with shelves 2.Notably, due to the unique arrangement and interconnection of parts, noother components, such as traditional mechanical fasteners, arerequired.

Although the display rack of the invention is shown as a rectilinearstructure having a single sleeve enclosing four corner columns, variousother arrangements could be employed so long 'as structuralstability andintegrity are maintained. For example, the shelves and correspondingsleeve could be of triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, circular orirregular shape. The number of shelves and the spacing therof may bevaried according to merchandising needs. The sleeve is most The detailedconstruction of the rack will be more easily understood by describingthe individual elements starting with column 4. The most preferredembodiment of the column illustrated in FIG. 2 consists of a singlelongitudinally-folded sheet having abutting longitudinallyopen sides 9shown here for better understanding as slightly separated. The other twosides preferably are, by a suitable means known in the art, providedwith notch or slot for each shelf to be supported. Surprisingly, thisembodiment required no fasterners or fastening portion since the finalrack structure maintains the rectilinear integrity of the column. It ispreferred, however, that sides 9 be minimally taped together tofacilitate assemblying the rack.

Other embodiments of column 4 are depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Sheet 8 ofFIG. 3 has open sides 9joined by a series of tabs 11 and correspondingslots 12. In FIG. 4 open sides 9 are connected by passing rod 16 throughaligned hole of meshing tabs 13 and cutouts 14.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that slots 10 be sized to snuglyreceive the corresponding peripheries of the shelves. By doing so, theslotted portions and corresponding peripheries provide a continuity offorce transfer, i.e., in a straight line from column to shelf to columnto shelf, etc., thus insuring the greatest possible structuralstability.

Preferably to yield a light-weight product the columns of the inventionare formed of a foldable sheet material such as corrugated oruncorrugated paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard or plasticboard. Acorrugated board is more desirable for enhancing structural rigidity.Also, a corrugated board is advantageous in conjunction with theembodiments of FIG. 4 since the fluted portion acts as a receiver forrod 16.

In the illustrated embodiments, the column has been a rectilinear,longitudinally-hollow member of a folded sheet material. However, othershapes and constructions are acceptable in accordance with theinvention. If desired the columns could optionally be solid and/orexhibit various shapes triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, circular orirregular. Instead of the described materials, metal, wood, etc., couldbe used. Generally such materials are less desirable due to increasedweight and reduced workability.

Sleeve 4 in a preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5 with tabs 7in an upright folded position. Tabs 7 are most suitably provided alongthe bottom of each cutout area 5 and at the top of the sleeve. Thelatter are arranged to fold into and between the columns. Although notabsolutely necessary, the tabs do improve structural stability as wellas aesthetics. As previously indicated the sleeve may, in keeping withthe shelves, exhibit various conforming configurations and under certainconditions may consist of more than one part. The danger of the latteris the possible loss of structural stability. Openings 5 may vary inconfigurations and number depending upon display needs. If sleeve 4 isconstructed of a corrugated material, the fluted corrugations preferablyrun horizontally to insure maximum stability and strength.

Shelves 2 are considered substantially self-evident and therefore arenot separately illustrated. Preferably the sleeves are fabricated of alight-weight, rigid sheet material that will stand up under normalloading. One such material is masonite. Other suitable materials, ofcourse, may be utilized. Although shown as a rectilinear sheet, theshelves, as previously mentioned, can assume numerous other shapes andconfigurations. In fact the shelves need not necessarily be sheets butmay have varying thickness and constructions which are compatible withthe basic sleeved, slotted-column arrangement of the invention.

To assemble the components of the display rack of FIG. 1, the columns ofFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, for example, are folded into a closed rectangularconfiguration and where appropriate locked by tabs, slots, etc. and thenpositioned around shelves 2 as shown in FIG. 6. Most suitably twocolumns are placed on a horizontal surface, the shelves positioned inslots 10 and the remaining columns added. The resulting structure isrotated to the vertical position of FIG. 7 and sleeve 4 is slid down thelength therof. After tabs 7 are folded inwardly and downwardly, the rackof FIG. 1 results. In a preferred variation, FIG. 7, the uppermost partsof the slotted sides of columns 3 are collapsed inwardly intojuxtaposition with the remaining sides to secure appropriate tabs 7therebetween. This embodiment has the advantage of giving the uppershelf more storage space as well as improving the stability of the rack.

If moisture conitions are anticipated, at least a bottom part of thelowest shelf, the columns or the sleeve may be fabricated of awaterproof material or supported by a waterproof member. For example,the bottoms of the columns may rest on a plastic platform enclosed bythe sleeve.

In the display rack of the present invention, the inventor has offered arack that can be easily and conveniently assembled and taken apart. Therack requires only three different structural components, namely,columns, shelves and a sleeve. No separate mechanical fasteners arenecessary. By employing the preferred construction materials, the rackis light-weight, economical and as a by-product disposable, if desired.Even so, because of the particular structural arrangement, the rack isquite durable and will stand up under heavy loadings for sustainedperiods of time.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that changes in thedetailed design and construction of the described display rack may occurto persons skilled in the art without parting from the scope and spiritof the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is consideredto be only exemplary of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knockdown rack assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of substantially-rigid shelf members adapted to behorizontally supported,

b. a plurality of vertical support members adapted to be horizontallyspaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelf member, eachsupport member having a slotted portion for each such shelf memberadapted to slidably receive and engage the periphery of such shelfmembers to horizontally support the same, each slotted portion of saidsupport members being sized to engage the corresponding periphery of ashelf member such that, under loading of an upper shelf member, force istransmitted directly through the slotted portions of the support membersand the engaged peripheries of the shelf members therebelow, and

c. a single sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage said supportmembers to enclose and restrain said support members in positionssupporting said shelf members, said sleeve-like member having cut outareas corresponding to the openings framed by said support members andsaid shelf members.

2. A rack assembly according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve-like memberincludes tab portions adjoining said cutout areas adapted to be foldedinwardly.

3. A rack assembly according to claim 2 wherein tab portions areprovided in said sleeve-like member at the top thereof and at the bottomof each cutout area, said tab portions being adapted to be foldedinwardly and downwardly into engagement with said shelf members.

4. A knockdown rack assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of substantially-rigid shelf members adapted to behorizontally supported,

b. a plurality of vertical support members adapted to be horizontallyspaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelf member, eachsupport member having a slotted portion for each shelf member adapted toslidably receive and engage the periphery of such shelf members to'horizontally support the same, each slotted portion of said supportmembers being sized to engage the corre sponding periphery of a shelfmembersuch that, under loading of an upper shelf member, force istransmitted directly through the slotted portions of the support membersand the engaged peripheries of the shelf members therebelow, each ofsaid support members being a column of a longitudinallyfolded sheethaving corresponding longitudinallyopen sides, and

c. at least one sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage saidsupport members to enclose and restrain said support members inpositions supporting said shelf members.

5. A rack assembly according to claim 4 wherein said longitudinally-opensides of each said columns have interlocking tabs and slots.

6. A rack assembly according to claim 4 wherein said longitudinally-opensides of each of said columns have meshing tabs and cutouts including atleast one aligned longitudinal passage receiving a connecting rodtherethrough.

7. A rack assembly according to claim 4 wherein said longitudinally-opensides of each column are adapted to abut without interconnection.

8. A rack assembly according to claim 4 wherein said columns arerectilinear and each slotted portion consists of a single slot cutentirely through two adjoining sides of a column.

9. A rack assembly according to claim 8 wherein said sleeve-like memberincludes tab portions adjoining said cutout areas adapted to be foldedinwardly.

10. A rack assembly according to claim 9 wherein the uppermost part ofthe slotted sides of each column is adapted to fold inwardly intojuxtaposition with the remaining two sides of the column and tabportions are provided at the top of said sleeve-like member which areadapted to fold inwardly and downwardly between the juxtaposed sides ofthe uppermost part of each of said columns.

11. A knockdown display rack comprising:

a. a plurality of substantially-rigid, planar shelf members ofsubstantially uniform thickness adapted to be horizontally disposed andvertically interspaced,

b. a plurality of substantially-equal-length support columns adapted tobe vertically disposed and horizontally interspaced, each of saidsupport columns including interior slotted portions corresponding to theuniform thickness of said shelf members, said slotted portions adaptedto slidably receive and horizontally support the correspondingperipheries of said shelf members, and

a sleeve-like member substantially equal in length to said supportcolumns adapted to slidably engage the exteriors of said support columnsto enclose and restrain said support columns in positions supportingsaid shelf members, said sleeve-like member including cutout areasbetween the uppermost and lowermost members corresponding to theopenings framed by said support columns and said shelf members.

12. A display rack according to claim 11 wherein said support columnsand said sleeve-like member are fabricated from foldable fibrous orplastic sheet material.

13. A display rack according to claim 12 wherein said support columnsand said sleeve-like member are fabricated from corrugated paperboard,fiberboard, cardboard or corrugated plasticboard.

, 14. A display rack according to claim 13 wherein the corrugatedsleeve-like member is disigned so that the fluted corrugations runhorizontally to enhance structural rigidity.

15. A display rack according to claim 12 wherein each of said supportcolumns is formed of a longitudinally folded fibrous or plastic sheetmaterial having corresponding longitudinally-open sides.

16. A display rack according to claim 15 wherein each of said supportcolumns is fabricated of a corrugated plastic or paperboard and thelongitudinallyopen sides have meshing tabs and cutouts receiving aconnecting rod through the corrugations thereof.

17. A rack assembly according to claim 15 wherein saidlongitudinally-open sides of each column are adapted to abut withoutinterconnection.

18. A display rack according to claim 17 wherein saidlongitudinally-open sides of each column are maintained in abuttingrelationship by adhesive tape.

19. A rack assembly according to claim 16 wherein said columns arerectilinear and each slotted portion consists of a single slot cutentirely through two adjoining sides of a column.

20. A rack assembly according to claim 18 wherein said sleeve-likemember includes tab portions adjoining said cutout areas adapted to befolded inwardly.

21. A rack assembly according to claim 20 wherein the uppermost part ofthe slotted sides of each column is adapted to fold inwardly intojuxtaposition with the remaining two sides of the column and tabportions are provided at the top of said sleeve-like member which areadapted to fold inwardly and downwardly between the juxtaposed sides ofthe uppermost part of each of said columns.

22. A display rack according to claim 11 wherein said shelf members aremasonite sheets.

23. A display rack according to claim 11 wherein said shelf members,support columns and sleeve-like member are retilinear, said supportcolumns are four support columns, and said slotted portions of saidsupport columns are cut into the same two adjoining sides in each ofsaid support columns.

24. A display rack according to claim 11 wherein said sleeve-like isprovided with tab portions adjoining said cutout areas adapted to befolded inwardly.

25. A display rack according to claim 24 wherein tab portions areprovided in said sleeve-like member at the top thereof and at the bottomof each cutout area of said tab portions, said tab portions beingadapted to be folded inwardly and downwardly into engagement with saidshelf members.

26. A display rack according to claim 25 wherein said supporting columnsare longitudinally hollow columns and at least some of said tab portionsof said sleeve-like member are adapted to fold inwardly and downwardlyinto the upper openings of said hollow columns.

27. A display rack according to claim 11 wherein at least a bottom partof one of said shelf members, support columns and sleeve-like members'isfabricated of or supported by a waterproof material or member.

28. A knockdown rack assembly comprising:

a. at least one substantially-rigid shelf member adapted to behorizontally supported,

b. a plurality of vertical support members adapted to be horizontallyspaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelf member, eachsupport member having a slotted portion for each such shelf memberadapted to slidably receive and engage the periphery of each such shelfmember to horizontally support the same, and

c. at least one sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage only theperipheral vertical surfaces to said support members to enclose andrestrain said support members in positions supporting said shelfmembers.

29. A knockdown rack assembly comprising:

a. at least one substantially-rigid shelf member adapted to behorizontally supported,

b. a plurality of open-ended vertical support members adapted to behorizontally spaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelfmember, each support member having a slotted portion for each such shelfmember adapted to slidably receive and engage the periphery of each suchshelf member to horizontally support the same, and

c. at least one sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage theperipheral vertical surfaces of said support members to enclose andrestrain said support members in positions supporting each such shelfmember, said at least one sleeve-like member including tabbed endportions adapted to fold inwardly into juxtaposition with the open endsof said vertical support members.

1. A knockdown rack assembly comprising: a. a plurality ofsubstantially-rigid shelf members adapted to be horizontally supported,b. a plurality of vertical support members adapted to be horizontallyspaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelf member, eachsupport member having a slotted portion for each such shelf memberadapted to slidably receive and engage the periphery of such shelfmembers to horizontally support the same, each slotted portion of saidsupport members being sized to engage the corresponding periphery of ashelf member such that, under loading of an upper shelf member, force istransmitted directly through the slotted portions of the support membersand the engaged peripheries of the shelf members therebelow, and c. asingle sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage said supportmembers to enclose and restrain said support members in positionssupporting said shelf members, said sleeve-like member having cut outareas corresponding to the openings framed by said support members andsaid shelf members.
 2. A rack assembly according to claim 1 wherein saidsleeve-like member includes tab portions adjoining said cutout areasadapted to be folded inwardly.
 3. A rack assembly according to claim 2wherein tab portions are provided in said sleeve-like member at the topthereof and at the bottom of each cutout area, said tab portions beingadapted to be folded inwardly and downwardly into engagement with saidshelf members.
 4. A knockdown rack assembly comprising: a. a pluralityof substantially-rigid shelf members adapted to be horizontallysupported, b. a plurality of vertical support members adapted to behorizontally spaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelfmember, each support member having a slotted portion for each shelfmember adapted to slidably receive and engage the periphery of suchshelf members to horizontally support the same, each slotted portion ofsaid support members being sized to engage the corresponding peripheryof a shelf member such that, under loading of an upper shelf member,force is transmitted directly through the slotted portions of thesupport members and the engageD peripheries of the shelf memberstherebelow, each of said support members being a column of alongitudinally-folded sheet having corresponding longitudinally-opensides, and c. at least one sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engagesaid support members to enclose and restrain said support members inpositions supporting said shelf members.
 5. A rack assembly according toclaim 4 wherein said longitudinally-open sides of each said columns haveinterlocking tabs and slots.
 6. A rack assembly according to claim 4wherein said longitudinally-open sides of each of said columns havemeshing tabs and cutouts including at least one aligned longitudinalpassage receiving a connecting rod therethrough.
 7. A rack assemblyaccording to claim 4 wherein said longitudinally-open sides of eachcolumn are adapted to abut without interconnection.
 8. A rack assemblyaccording to claim 4 wherein said columns are rectilinear and eachslotted portion consists of a single slot cut entirely through twoadjoining sides of a column.
 9. A rack assembly according to claim 8wherein said sleeve-like member includes tab portions adjoining saidcutout areas adapted to be folded inwardly.
 10. A rack assemblyaccording to claim 9 wherein the uppermost part of the slotted sides ofeach column is adapted to fold inwardly into juxtaposition with theremaining two sides of the column and tab portions are provided at thetop of said sleeve-like member which are adapted to fold inwardly anddownwardly between the juxtaposed sides of the uppermost part of each ofsaid columns.
 11. A knockdown display rack comprising: a. a plurality ofsubstantially-rigid, planar shelf members of substantially uniformthickness adapted to be horizontally disposed and verticallyinterspaced, b. a plurality of substantially-equal-length supportcolumns adapted to be vertically disposed and horizontally interspaced,each of said support columns including interior slotted portionscorresponding to the uniform thickness of said shelf members, saidslotted portions adapted to slidably receive and horizontally supportthe corresponding peripheries of said shelf members, and c. asleeve-like member substantially equal in length to said support columnsadapted to slidably engage the exteriors of said support columns toenclose and restrain said support columns in positions supporting saidshelf members, said sleeve-like member including cutout areas betweenthe uppermost and lowermost members corresponding to the openings framedby said support columns and said shelf members.
 12. A display rackaccording to claim 11 wherein said support columns and said sleeve-likemember are fabricated from foldable fibrous or plastic sheet material.13. A display rack according to claim 12 wherein said support columnsand said sleeve-like member are fabricated from corrugated paperboard,fiberboard, cardboard or corrugated plasticboard.
 14. A display rackaccording to claim 13 wherein the corrugated sleeve-like member isdisigned so that the fluted corrugations run horizontally to enhancestructural rigidity.
 15. A display rack according to claim 12 whereineach of said support columns is formed of a longitudinally foldedfibrous or plastic sheet material having correspondinglongitudinally-open sides.
 16. A display rack according to claim 15wherein each of said support columns is fabricated of a corrugatedplastic or paperboard and the longitudinally-open sides have meshingtabs and cutouts receiving a connecting rod through the corrugationsthereof.
 17. A rack assembly according to claim 15 wherein saidlongitudinally-open sides of each column are adapted to abut withoutinterconnection.
 18. A display rack according to claim 17 wherein saidlongitudinally-open sides of each column are maintained in abuttingrelationship by adhesive tape.
 19. A rack assembly according to claim 16wherein said columns are rectilinear and each slotted portion consistsof a single slot cut entirely through two adjoining sides of a column.20. A rack assembly according to claim 18 wherein said sleeve-likemember includes tab portions adjoining said cutout areas adapted to befolded inwardly.
 21. A rack assembly according to claim 20 wherein theuppermost part of the slotted sides of each column is adapted to foldinwardly into juxtaposition with the remaining two sides of the columnand tab portions are provided at the top of said sleeve-like memberwhich are adapted to fold inwardly and downwardly between the juxtaposedsides of the uppermost part of each of said columns.
 22. A display rackaccording to claim 11 wherein said shelf members are masonite sheets.23. A display rack according to claim 11 wherein said shelf members,support columns and sleeve-like member are retilinear, said supportcolumns are four support columns, and said slotted portions of saidsupport columns are cut into the same two adjoining sides in each ofsaid support columns.
 24. A display rack according to claim 11 whereinsaid sleeve-like is provided with tab portions adjoining said cutoutareas adapted to be folded inwardly.
 25. A display rack according toclaim 24 wherein tab portions are provided in said sleeve-like member atthe top thereof and at the bottom of each cutout area of said tabportions, said tab portions being adapted to be folded inwardly anddownwardly into engagement with said shelf members.
 26. A display rackaccording to claim 25 wherein said supporting columns are longitudinallyhollow columns and at least some of said tab portions of saidsleeve-like member are adapted to fold inwardly and downwardly into theupper openings of said hollow columns.
 27. A display rack according toclaim 11 wherein at least a bottom part of one of said shelf members,support columns and sleeve-like members is fabricated of or supported bya waterproof material or member.
 28. A knockdown rack assemblycomprising: a. at least one substantially-rigid shelf member adapted tobe horizontally supported, b. a plurality of vertical support membersadapted to be horizontally spaced and disposed around the periphery ofeach such shelf member, each support member having a slotted portion foreach such shelf member adapted to slidably receive and engage theperiphery of each such shelf member to horizontally support the same,and c. at least one sleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage onlythe peripheral vertical surfaces to said support members to enclose andrestrain said support members in positions supporting said shelfmembers.
 29. A knockdown rack assembly comprising: a. at least onesubstantially-rigid shelf member adapted to be horizontally supported,b. a plurality of open-ended vertical support members adapted to behorizontally spaced and disposed around the periphery of each such shelfmember, each support member having a slotted portion for each such shelfmember adapted to slidably receive and engage the periphery of each suchshelf member to horizontally support the same, and c. at least onesleeve-like member adapted to slidably engage the peripheral verticalsurfaces of said support members to enclose and restrain said supportmembers in positions supporting each such shelf member, said at leastone sleeve-like member including tabbed end portions adapted to foldinwardly into juxtaposition with the open ends of said vertical supportmembers.